THE substandard infrastructure projects recently inspected by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Bulacan were all included in the government’s own National Expenditure Program (NEP), official records show.
Similar to the so-called “ghost project” in Baliuag, Bulacan, two other projects in the province that drew the President’s attention were originally proposed by the executive branch to Congress under the 2022 and 2023 NEPs.
Among these was the ₱96.4-million Rehabilitation of River Protection Structure along Bulusan in Calumpit, Bulacan. The project, implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) First District Engineering Office in partnership with St. Timothy Construction Corporation, was explicitly listed in the 2022 NEP and subsequently funded under the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The revelation highlights how projects flagged for poor quality or irregularities had been formally endorsed by the executive in the budget proposal process before approval by lawmakers.
Malacañang has yet to issue a statement on whether accountability will be pursued against the implementing office or contractor involved.
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